Portable daylight developing-box for photo-plates.



PATENTED MAR. 3, 1903.

s. J. SLOAN. PORTABLE DAYLIGHT DEVELOPING BOX FOR PHOTO PLATES.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 1'7, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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INVENTOH WI TNESSES:

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UNIT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL J. SLOAN, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

PORTABLE DAYLIGHT DEVELOPING-BOX FOR PHOTO-PLATES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 722,052, dated March 3,1903.

Application filed December 17,1902- Serial No. 135,501. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern;

Beit known that I, SAMUEL J. SLOAN, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of NewJersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Portable DaylightDeveloping-Boxes for Photo-Plates, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain novel and useful improvements in traysor boxes used in developing photographic plates in daylight without theuse of a dark room, and has particular application to a portable articleof the class described.

As is well known to those skilled in or conversant with the art ofphotography, it is the common practice after a picture has been takento'develop the plate in a dark room by immersingthe plate first in whatis generally termed the developer and then transferring and reimmersingthe plate in the fixing-bath, the only light being furnished by theordinary photographers red lamp. There are certain disadvantagesincident to this procedure, because it is necessary, first, to have aroom so furnished and arranged that it shall be absolutely dark, and,secondly, the light furnished is so dim and faint that the operator mustmove with great caution to avoid upsetting and spilling the developingor fixing solution.

Primarily, therefore, it is the object of my invention to overcome theabove objections by providing an article which will retain the trayscontaining the developing and fixing solutions, my developing-box beingof such size that it may be readily packed in a grip or suit-case andconveyed from place to place, and, further, the box is so arranged thatwith theaid of a covering or hood of dark or colored translucentmaterial the plates may be readily developed without employing thewellknown dark room.

It is also an object of my invention to construct a developing-box whichshall have the solution-containing trays so arranged relative to theposition of a transparent material set in the body of the box that theprogress or action of the developing solutions upon the plates may bereadily observed, thus enabling the photographer to determine to anicety when the plates have been immersed in the bath a sufficientlength of time.

In addition to accomplishing the last-mentioned function my improvementis especially applicable for loading plates in daylight.

A further object of the invention is to provide an article such asdescribed which shall be simple and durable in construction and capableof being manufactured and sold at but comparatively little expense.

With the above-recited objects and others of a similar nature in viewthe present invention consists in the construction,combination, andarrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter described inthisspecification,delineated in the accompanying drawings, and set forthin the appended claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification,

in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts inall the figures. I

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improvement. Fig. 2 is a similarview, but showing the box provided with the coveringhood employed inconnection with my improvement. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinalvertical sectional view of an embodiment of my improvement, showing thetop slides of the box in such position that one of the developing-traystherein is uncovered to receive the negative or plate. Fig. 4. is asimilar view, but showing the sliding covers in their closed position;and Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken through the line 5 5 ofFig. 4:.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, 1 designates thebottom of the base portion of my improved developing-box, such box beingformed preferably square or rectangular in shape and havingverticallydisposed flanged walls 2 extending entirely around the edge ofsaid bottom. Extending upwardly from said base portion is a frame formedof the longitudinal walls 3 3 and the transverse walls 4 4, theconstruction being such that a space or groove 5 is formed entirelyaround the box between the walls of Upon the upper surface of the bottompor tion, inclosed by the frame just referred to, are arranged two setsof vertically-disposed studs or pins, one set being designated by thenumeral 6 and the other by the numeral '7. Between these studs or pins 66 is adapted to be retained a suitable tray 8 for containing thedeveloping solution, while between the studs 7 is adapted to be held asimilar tray 9 for the reception of the fixing solution. Each of thestuds or pins 6 and 7 has secured to the top thereof, by means of screwsor equivalent devices 6 7, a small retaining-clip 10, such clipsprojecting inwardly to those of the opposite stud, as clearly shown inFig. 1, these clips being preferably formed ofany springy material, suchas metal or the like, and are adapted to bear upon and engage the upperedges of the developing-trays. These trays may be of any suitablematerial, but preferably constructed of glass, and each tray is providedwith a plate across the top thereof, so as to partially cover the same,such plate being shown at 11, it being understood that the trays aresubstantially similar in construction. The portion of the base coveredby the developing-tray is slotted or formed with an opening 12, a groovebeing formed in the walls surrounding said opening for the reception ofa plate or glass 13 of a suitable color, preferably red. This plate isinserted for the purpose of enabling the photographer to observe theaction of the developing solution upon the plate, which may be readilyseen by turning or holding the box up to the light.

Theinner walls of the frame mounted upon the bottom or base portion ofthe box are provided with two parallel grooves 14 and 15, extendingentirely around such walls, these grooves being adapted for thefollowing purposes: Within the lower groove 14is adapted to slide acover 16, provided with a lip or extension 17 to enable it to snugly fitinto the transverse section of the groove, such slide having a centralportion provided with an opening 18, substantially equal in size to theopening formed in the bottom and adapted when the slide is in itsnormally closed position to be directly above such bottom opening. Thissliding plate or cover portion is also provided with a red glass, (shownat 19,) and as the cover is only equal in length to half the length ofthe frame of the box portion it may be shifted back and forth in thegroove to rest either above the developingtray or over thefixing-receptacle. The upper groove 15 forms a guideway for the cover 20to slide in, such cover being a trifle shorter than the slide 16,whereby when one or both covers are closed their ends will overlap, asis shown in Fig. 4.

For the purpose of enveloping the entire structure when in use I haveprovided a hood 21, which is sewed, tacked, or otherwise secured to anopen rectangular frame 22, which frame is of such dimensions that it maybe readily inserted in the space 5, formed by the fiange of the base andthe walls of the frame of the base, as is clearly shown in Fig. Thishood may be formed of any dark preferably flexible material-such asrubber, canvas, cloth, or the likeor, if desired, this hood may be madeof a colored translucent materialsuch as ruby glass, celluloid, &c.andin this case the operator will be able to see the plates while loadingand unloading the same, and thus may work with more certainty. The hoodis provided at points on its top surface with the armholes 23 23, sucharmholes being made self-adjusting in the present instance by means ofan elastic draw-string, the construction forming the hood being clearlyshown in Figs. 2 and 3.

When deemed convenient or necessary, the box may be provided with asupplemental cover, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5,which is adaptedto fit over the frame and within the space 5, so that when beingtransported the entire structure will be securely incased.

From the above description when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings the operation and use of my improved portable developing-boxwill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which itappertains. The hood or cover being removed from the box thedeveloping-trays are clamped between the standards, as hereinbeforedescribed, and the tray containing the primary developing solution(designated by the numeral 8) is placed over the colored plate 13 in theopen portion 12 of the bottom, such tray being, as stated,of transparentmaterial. The tray or receptacle 9 is then secured in position in theother set of studs, and such trays are then tilled with the developingsolution and the fixing-bath, respectively. The covers are at this timepresumed to be in the position shown in Fig. 3, and the holdercontaining the plate may then be placed upon the top 20. The hood isthen placed over the entire structure and held by placing the frame inthe space 5, as shown in Fig. 3, and the operator then passes his armthrough the holes 23 in the hood, and removing the slide from theplate-holder takes the plate out and places it in the developingsolution, such plate being shown at Ain Figs. 3, 4:, and 5. moves theslide 16, containing the red glass 19, so as to cover thedeveloping-tray and the plate, as is shown in Fig. 4. The hood may thenbe removed temporarily and the tray gently oscillated or tilted back andforth, thoroughly washing the plate. When the operator observes throughthe red glasses by holding the box to the light that the plate has beenin the solution long enough,he again places the hood over the box andsliding the cover back removes the plate. Both the covers 16 and 20 arethen moved so as to be over the developing-tray, and the plate is placedin the fixing-bath, and the cover 16, having the red glass therein, ismoved so as to be directly He then above such bath, wherebythephotographer may determine when the plate has been sufficiently fixedand all halation removed therefrom. It is of course to be understoodthat the cover 20 is resting over the developingsolution tray, so as toexclude all possible light from the box, the hood being again removedafter the slides have been properly arranged. After the plate has beensufficiently fixed by the solution it may be taken from the tray andwashed in the ordinary manner.

It will be evident that numerous advantages incident to my improvedstructure will render it extremely convenient and useful for amateurphotographers, especially those who are unable to make use of apermanently-dark room, such as persons engaged in taking photographs oflandscape scenery in out-of-theway places. The plate may be developedreadily and quickly, and there is absolutely no danger of the samebecoming light-struck and spoiled.

Vhile I have herein shown and described one particular embodiment of myinvention, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise details of the construction shown herein, as there may bemodifications and variations in certain respects without departing fromthe spirit or sacrificing any of the essential features of theinvention. For instance, any suitable plate-retaining means may beemployed, and the shape and arrangement of the groovesin the base-frame,together with the slides, may be varied. It will further be evident thatinstead of forming the covers to slide in grooves they could be mountedto swing on hinges.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. A device of the class described, comprising a boxportion, trays positioned therein, means for retaining the trays againstmovement, a plurality of slides covering the box portion, one of saidslides having an opening, and a sheet of colored material covering saidopening, substantially as set forth.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a box portion,solution-containing trays positioned therein, a cover for said box,having a sheet of colored translucent material fitting over an openingtherein, and a hood for the entire structure, substantially as setforth.

3. A device of the class described, comprising a box portion, trayspositioned therein, clamping devices for securing said trays inposition, a cover for said box portion, provided with an opening havinga sheet or plate of transparent or translucent material fitting over thesame, and a removable hood for the entire structure, substantially asset forth.

4:. A device of the class described, comprising a box portion,

therein, a movable cover solution-trays positioned for said box, suchcover having an opening provided with colored transparent materialfitting over the same, said cover being so adjustable that thetransparent portion thereof may assume a position directly above anyone'of the trays in the box, and a hood for the entire structure,substantially as set forth.

5. A device of the class described, comprising a box portion,solution-trays positioned therein, a movable cover for said box, havingan opening fitted with a colored transparent material, said cover beingadjustable to rest directly over any one of the trays in the box,

and a non-transparent covering portion for the remaining trays in thebox, substantially as set forth.

6. A device of the class described, comprising a base, a frame mountedthereon, trays positioned in the frame on said base, said base having anopening covered with transparent material directly beneath some or allof the trays, and a movable cover for the same, substantially as setforth.

7. A device of the classdescribed, comprising a base, a frame mountedthereon, trays positioned on said base within the frame, studs providedwith clamping devices for retaining said trays in position, a coverportion having an opening formed therein and fitted with a coloredtransparent material adapted to be movable to rest immediately over anyone of the trays, and a second non-transparent cover portion movablerelative to the first portion to cover any trays in the frame not underthe translucent cover, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination of a box portion,'trays' mounted in said box portion,translucent and non-translucent cover portions for said box, saidportions being adjustable relative to each other, and a removable hoodfor the entire structure, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of a box portion, hav ing the vertical walls thereofgrooved, solution-containing trays held within said box portion, each ofsaid trays being formed with a solution and negative retainingreceptacle, and cover portions slidable in the grooves of the boxportion, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination of a box portion, comprising a flanged base, and aframe mounted on said base, a space being left between the walls of theframe and the base-flange, trays secured in said box portion, atranslucent cover and a non-translucent cover movable in the frame abovethe trays, a frame adapted to lie within the groove between the flangeand the walls of the first-mentioned frame, and a flexible hood carriedby said frame, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination of abox portion comprising a flanged base, a framemounted thereon, a space being left between the walls of the frame andthe base-flange, solutioncontaining trays removably secured in said boxportion, a translucent cover portion, and

IIO

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

a non transparent cover portion slidably mounted in the frame above thetrays, a frame adapted to lie within the groove between the flange andthe Walls of the first-mentioned SAMUEL J. SLOAN. 5 frame, and aflexible hood carried by said Witnesses:

frame, said hood having armholes formed R. B. CAVANAGH,

,therein, substantially as set forth. J NO. M. BITTER.

